The Council of Ministers on Saturday, which met at the State Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, approved the draft proposal for the first Supplementary Budget for the current fiscal.
The poll-oriented supplementary statement of expenditure would be presented in the ensuing Winter Session of the Assembly by Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya. The appropriation Bill on the Budget would be taken up for approval of the House on December 9.
According to reliable sources, the Budget has provided around 15 per cent hike against the last year’s first supplementary Budget to take up several populist programmes in view of the 2014 elections. The size of the Budget would be around Rs 7,000 crores, sources indicated.
Sources further said the Supplementary Budget has provided funds required to meet the ongoing restoration and rehabilitation measures in the Phailin and flood affected areas. Besides, the Budget has also provision for taking up the State flagship programmes relating to development and welfare of rural areas and disadvantaged sections, including the BPl eyeing on the upcoming General Elections, 2014.
Adequate provision has also been made to include more beneficiaries in the farmer health insurance scheme under the Biju Krushak Yojana and also for the socio-economic development of the weavers under the Department of Textiles. The Budget has taken care of the needs of all the departments as proposed by the Ministers, sources said.
Drawing the attention of the Chief Minister, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Damodar Rout proposed more funds for infrastructural development of the PHCs and CHCs to provide quality treatment to the increasing flow of patients following the introduction of the 108 ambulance services.